Helyn Clack, cabinet member for wellbeing and health at Surrey County Council (SCC), said: "Ensuring our residents are at a healthy weight is a priority for us and we have been working with our districts and boroughs, as well as Public Health England, to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in Surrey."

Number of takeaways food shops per district

Source: Cambridge University's Centre for Diet and Activity Research

But even though health is treated as a "priority" by SCC, the number of fast food outlets has increased in seven areas in Surrey, including Guildford, Woking, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Tandridge, Elmbridge and Spelthrone.

The most significant rise was recorded in Waverley, where the number of takeaways increased by 19%.

According to the new figures, Working has 104 takeaways, which is "slightly more than in the average local authority".

In addition, research found that most takeaway shops are concentrated in England's poorest areas - particularly in the north of the country - but the most rapid growth was in "relatively affluent home county areas" in the south east.

Runnymede was one of the few areas in Surrey where a decrease in the number of takeaways was recorded. The same happened in Reigate and Banstead.